Andersen rockets to new career high + VIDEO

Australia's David Andersen registered an NBA career high 19 points on 9-from-14 shooting today as the Houston Rockets upset Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in California, 101-91.

Andersen added six rebounds to his points haul and finished the game with new career highs across seven categories.

The Frankston product had surpassed his previous career high in scoring, an 11-point output against Dallas last week, by half time on 6-of-9 shooting that included 1-of-2 three-pointers in a blistering thirteen minutes off the bench.

He saw no court time in the third quarter but closed out the fourth quarter shooting 3-from-5 as the Rockets held on against a Lakers team determined to win on its home court.

Houston point guard Aaron Brooks led all scorers with 33 points while ex-Rocket Ron Artest had 22 points to lead Los Angeles.

The Rockets have now won 6 of their first ten games and are running second in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference behind the Dallas Mavericks (7-3).

The Lakers (7-3) are in second place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference behind the surprising Phoenix Suns (9-2). Atlanta leads the Eastern Conference with an 8-2 record.

In other NBA news, former number one draft pick Andrew Bogut had 19 points with 11 rebounds in a 129-125 Milwaukee victory over the Golden State Warriors yesterday. The Bucks are 5-and-2 and lead the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. Bogut is averaging 15.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Nathan Jawai, the first indigenous Australian to be drafted to the NBA, scored 2 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in Minnesota’s 87-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday. Jawai has been elevated to the starting lineup of the 1-and-10 Timberwolves and his averages have risen to 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Patty Mills, who was drafted to the Portland Trailblazers in June, is still rehabbing a broken bone in his foot and is yet to return to the court this season.

DAVID ANDERSEN CAREER HIGHS AT A GLANCE:

Category                          Old career high                   New career high

Points                               13 at Dallas Nov 10            19 at Los Angeles Nov 16
Field Goals Made                5 at Dallas Nov 10              9 at Los Angeles Nov 16
Field Goals Attempted         12 at Dallas Nov 10            14 at Los Angeles Nov 16
3-pt Field Goals Made          1 at Portland Oct 27            1 at Los Angeles Nov 16 (equal)
3-pt Field Goals Attempted   2 at Dallas Nov 10              3 at Los Angeles Nov 16
Defensive Rebounds           4 at Portland Oct 27            5 at Los Angeles Nov 16
Total Rebounds                  5 (2 times)                        6 at Los Angeles Nov 16
Minutes Played                   20 at Dallas Nov 10            25 at Los Angeles Nov 16